MTV Middle East

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MTV Middle East
Launched October 27, 2007
Closed January 5, 2015
Owned by Viacom International Media Networks Asia (Viacom)
Picture format 576i (4:3 SDTV)
Language English, Literary Arabic, Gulf Arabic
Broadcast area Middle East
Formerly called MTV Arabia
Replaced by MTV Live HD
Sister channel(s) VH1 Europe
Website www.mtvme.net

MTV Middle East, formerly MTV Arabia, was a free-to-air music television channel, and the Middle Eastern incarnation of MTV. As an addition to the MTV network, it is a joint venture between MTV Networks International and Arabian Television Network, a subsidiary of Arabian Broadcasting Network, and part of Arab Media Group, the largest media group in the United Arab Emirates. Launched as MTV Arabia, the channel was rebranded as MTV Middle East on August 30, 2011.

The channel began its initial broadcast on October 27, 2007,[1] and was launched on November 17, 2007.[2] As of 5 January 2015, MTV Middle East has stopped airing on Nilesat, and moved the whole localised channel to Pay-per-view model on OSN under the name MTV Live HD while series and shows are still available to stream from their official website.[3]

Beginnings

Screenshot of MTV Arabia during its initial broadcast, saying: "You Are MTV Arabia"

The first mention of the project came within the coverage of MTV's 25th anniversary in 2006, and was revealed by Faisal Abbas, the media editor of the London-based pan-Arab daily, Asharq Al-Awsat, which reported that MTV is "very interested in the Arab satellite channel market" and quoted Dean Possenniskie, the network's vice president and general manager for emerging markets, saying, "Hopefully [we] will be in the market in the next 24 months" but "it all depends on finding the right local partners".[4]

Akon, Ludacris, as well as Lebanese-Canadian Karl Wolf, Qusai aka Don Legend the Kamelion - the first Saudi Arabian hip hop artist, and the UAE's Desert Heat took part in the launching ceremonies of the channel in November 2007. Furthermore, Karl Wolf single "Africa" became the first ever video clip broadcast on the new music station.

MTV Europe was previously available in the region through a special deal with Showtime Arabia. The Showtime Arabia channel provided some Arabic music videos and a locally produced program called "Mashaweer" that later got renamed "Salaam" whose hosts included regional DJ Madjam & main host Susie iliyan.

Content

The channel aims to be a platform for the Arab youth, letting their opinions be a large factor in future programming. It will be likely that MTV Arabia will be pushing local R&B and hip hop music, which other Arab music stations like Rotana and Melody don't heavily feature says Patrick Samaha the General Manager of MTV Arabia.[5]

MTV Middle East shows

created by the general manager Patrick Samaha and team (Sam Wahab, Wassim Hamdan, Jimmy Poon, Wessam Kattan, Rasha al emam, Fatma abou assi, Alaa Akawi, Mohamed Hamed, Roula Ghalyini, Fredwreck and Qusai)

Shows taken from MTV

MTV Middle East also airs series from MTV such as:

Other channels

MTV Networks International and Arab Media Group also announced on October 16, 2007 that they were partnering with Nickelodeon to launch Nickelodeon Arabia.

References

  1. ↑ rajajang (28 October 2007). "Switch on, because 'You are MTV Arabia'". Dubai for Visitors. Retrieved 2007-11-02. Music fans witnessed history being made yesterday as the Middle East's newest channel, MTV Arabia, went on air.
  2. ↑ "MTV Arabia Begins Broadcasting". Arab News. 17 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
  3. ↑ http://en.mtvme.net/article/mtv-bringing-music-mtv-live-hd/
  4. ↑ Faisal Abbas (2006-08-08). "MTV Eyes Middle East Market". Asharq Al Awsat. Retrieved October 2007. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  5. ↑ Ali Jaafar (2007-09-25). "MTV Arabia ready to rock Middle East". www.variety.com. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
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